Our motivation is directional, impacting the results we create and the ease in which we create them. Think about when you are motivated to do something. Are you motivated more by what you want to get away from or what you want to move toward?TOWARD motivation moves us toward more of what we desire while AWAY from motivation is an attempt to get us away from circumstances/feelings that are causing discomfort. Let's consider...

Last week I presented the question "Are you having a quarterlife crisis" and shared a quiz to support you in answering that question. For most twenty-somethings that took the quiz, I suspect you answered "yes" to the majority of the questions. The simple fact is that a so-called "quarterlife crisis" is a natural part of growing up. In my experience and work coaching quarter-lifers, what is at the root of most quarterlife cr...

If you want to increase your net worth, increase your self-worth first! It sounds like your confidence at work could use a raise as well. My guess is you are under-valuing yourself and bringing insecurities from your past into your present. I encourage you to make a list of all of your strengths, skills, completed tasks, and lessons learned from not just this job but your entire work history. While you are doing this, do no...

Can you imagine a job where you can ask for exactly what you want and get it? Do these jobs actually exist? It turns out they do! I was recently inspired and rather surprised when a friend of mine shared she ended up extending her two week vacation from work to three weeks. When I asked her how she managed to do that her response was, "I just told the truth and asked for what I needed." Her first week and a half of vacation...

There are layoffs going on at my company and I am getting very concerned about loosing my job. What can I do to increase my odds of keeping my job?As much as I'd love to offer you some words of wisdom that would ensure job security, there maybe absolutely nothing you can do. For the majority of companies engaging in layoffs, it's a numbers game. Businesses are facing the unfortunate reality of having to let go of great empl...

The last few weeks, I have offered observations and advice regarding the twenty-something experience which inspired even more advice, feedback and colorful commentary. One comment that I wanted to highlight was from mono who wrote: This article is bogus because I think nobody can give advice to others. I heard a commencement speech by Dolly Parton in the 2009 graduation ceremony at University of Tennessee. She said "I canno...

Dear Christine,I have been unemployed for nine months and I feel myself becoming more depressed about it every day. When I was first laid off, I was able to see it as an opportunity. But now after looking for a job every day with no success, I am getting really scared I will never find one. I am doing everything I know to do in terms of being proactive in my job search, but how do I change my attitude? The trite advice of "...

The past two weeks, I have blogged about the rite of passage for today's twenty something woman. Below are ten brief tips to keep in mind during this time of transformation or really any stage of life as we are all consistently presented with unique challenges and changes:1. Be present. This is a tough one because we spend so much time in our twenties obsessing about what we will be and who we will be with. Take the time to...

Dear Christine,I have gotten to the point of despair when it comes to finding a job. I know I am not alone in this terrible market, but I am starting to lose all motivation. I've been looking for a job for six months now and I feel like my degree is completely going to waste. How do I stay hopeful and afloat on a sinking ship?- Jobless and hopeless, 26Dear Jobless and Hopeless,The first thing I recommend is to stay out of t...

It's a new year and our country has a new President. Saying that "change is coming" seems like quite the understatement because it's already here. I don't know if you feel it, but I've been very aware of how things are shifting around us. People are starting to wake up, step up, and speak up. We are starting to come together and think in a different way. 2009 is going to be a pivotal year and the way I see it is that we are...